Bloom Schedule

2013 Peak Bloom: We have reached Peak Bloom status today April 9, 2013.

Average Peak Bloom Date: April 4

__________________________________

Historic List of Cherry Blossom Festivals and Blooming Periods for the Yoshino and Kwanzan Varieties.

 

The Peak Bloom Date and Blooming Period

The Peak Bloom Date is defined as the day in which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) trees are open. The date when the Yoshino cherry blossoms reach peak bloom varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions. Cherry Blossom Festival dates are set based on the average date of blooming (April 4), but nature is not always cooperative. Unseasonably warm and/or cool temperatures have resulted in the Yoshino cherries reaching peak bloom as early as March 15 (1990) and as late as April 18 (1958).

The Blooming Period is defined as the period that starts when 20% of the blossoms are open and ends when the petals fall and the leaves appear. The Blooming period starts several days before the Peak Bloom Date and can last as long as 14 days; however, frost or high temperatures combined with wind and/or rain can shorten this period.

During the Blooming Period, the National Park Service conducts annual Cherry Tree Walks and other unique programs around the Tidal Basin. These Park Ranger conducted programs present an interpretive look at the historical and cultural influence of the Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees in our Nation's Capital. For information on the dates and times of the walks and bike tours please call [phone] and check out the Program Page.

It is nearly impossible to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days before the Peak Bloom and each year National Park Service Horticulturists monitor 5 stages of bud development and provide a forecast and updates as needed. The following is a comparative record of past bud development in which 70% of the buds reached each stage:

 

Year	Green Buds	Florets Visible	Extension of Florets	Peduncle Elongation	Puffy White	Peak Bloom
2013	Mar 11	Mar 17	Mar 26	Mar 31	Apr 4	Apr 9
2012	Feb 29	Mar 8	Mar 12	Mar 14	Mar 15	Mar 20
2011	Feb 28	Mar 9	Mar 16	Mar 19	Mar 22	Mar 29
2010	Mar 14	Mar 19	Mar 21	Mar 23	Mar 26	Mar31
2009	Mar 3	Mar 12	Mar 18	Mar 23	Mar 27	Apr 1
2008	Feb 19	Mar 11	Mar 17	Mar 18	Mar 24	Mar 26
2007	Mar 5	Mar 20	Mar 25	Mar 27	Mar 28	Apr 1
2006	Feb 28	Mar 13	Mar 14	Mar 16	Mar 22	Mar 30
2005	Mar 7	Mar 22	Mar 31	Apr 3	Apr 4	Apr 9
2004	Mar 4	Mar 12	Mar 15	Mar 22	Mar 27	Mar 31

 

NPS

Green Color in Buds: Late February to Early March

 

NPS

Florets Visible: March, Average 16-21 days to Peak Bloom.

 

NPS

Extension of Florets: Average 12-17 days to Peak Bloom.

 

NPS

Peduncle Elongation:(Frost Critical) Average 6-10 days to Peak Bloom.

 

NPS

Puffy White: Average 4-6 days to Peak Bloom.

 

Link to Maps of Cherry Tree Locations.